18 Floors Above the Apocalypse
Chapter 202

It had been over a half month since the interview, and Mark assumed the two wouldn't show. He felt a twinge of regret. He could see that these two young men had some chops, and the neighborhood was in dire need of such people. But then, out of the blue, they showed up.

Driving into the neighborhood, Mark personally showed them around the houses.

"We have plenty of vacancies here. The houses in Phase One are all fully furnished, but the lower floors are occupied. For safety and to avoid conflicts with the neighbors, each floor is only occupied by one family. They just lock up the fire doors and it's fine. The upper floors are empty. It's very quiet, but it also tends to be hotter there. The third building in Phase Two was renovated by ourselves, so it's a bit rough, but there are vacancies on the lower floors. Would you like me to show you around?"

Stella wasn't interested in the first three buildings. "Mark, we have a dog, and it's not very convenient living in a multi-story building. Having our own space would be better for everyone. Can we check out Building 4 or 5?"

The dog weighed around 90 pounds, always wagging its tail in front of people. People were gonna drool in envy.

If it wasn't for the severe earthquake that cracked open the whole of Griffith, causing most of the buildings to collapse, Stella wouldn't have thought about moving into this neighborhood.

Mark was surprised, "Buildings 4 and 5 only have the exterior renovated, and the interiors are still in the rough state. They're not very suitable for living."

Stella insisted, "That's okay. We can do the interior ourselves."

Sensing their concerns, Mark didn't push it. "Alright, it is up to you."

Just as he was about to show them around, suddenly his walkie-talkie buzzed with an anxious voice, "Mark, Mark, those villagers are here again to seize the water source. There are more people this time than last." Immediately after, the sound of a horn rang out.

"Jasper, Stella, both buildings are unlocked. You can go up and have a look," Mark said hurriedly. "There is a little issue in the neighborhood. I need to go handle it. Excuse me."

And with that, he rushed off.

In this heat, water was the most valuable resource. It was necessary for survival, and for growing precious crops.

Eastwood Eden had a lot of unplowed land, which was gradually being cultivated by the residents to grow sweet potatoes, irrigated with the precious water. The crop looked ready to harvest. During this time, many residents were getting by on the sweet potato sprouts, plucking them when they grew long enough.

Stella even noticed several types of drought-resistant pigweed, which would thrive with just a bit of water. In the past, it was used to feed pigs or as pig food, but now considered precious food.

It might give you a sore throat, but if you chop it up finely, it was a hundred times better than gnawing on tree bark or eating clay.

Watching Mark's retreating figure, Stella asked, "Should we go see the houses or watch the commotion?"

Jasper thought for a moment, "Mark was able to form a rescue team after the earthquake and defend Eastwood Eden. He should be fine. But since we're going to live here, it wouldn't hurt to get to know the other residents." Stella thought about it and agreed.

When Stella and Jasper drove to the neighborhood entrance, both sides were already at a standstill. The issue was about the water source, and tensions were high.

There were noticeably more people on the other side than last time.

The well that Eastwood Eden dug was the only water source in the vicinity. The defeated villagers from last time had rallied more locals. Each one armed with a hoe or a club, their faces twisted with rage. They were determined to drive out the people of Eastwood Eden. "This land was originally confiscated from our village, so the water source naturally belongs to us. You're not the owners here. Stop hoarding the water. If you know what's good for you, get lost. Or we will show you who's the real owner here."

"What do you mean 'your land'? If the developer didn't pay you, would you have given up the land? What a joke!"

"Shut up, the land use right has a term limit. Now that the developer is gone, the land naturally belongs to us. You didn't pay for the house and you think you have a say?"

The argument escalated, both sides shouting at each other.

The other side had a larger force. Hearing the emergency alarm, the residents of Eastwood Eden rushed out with their weapons.

Men, women, the elderly, and even children showed up.

Iron rods, tree branches, hoes, bricks, kitchen knives... All primitive weapons, not a single firearm.

In this country, guns were strictly controlled. It was almost impossible for an ordinary person to get one. Stella wouldn't have had a firearm if it wasn't for her run-ins with some shady characters.

This time, the villagers came prepared, fully armed. In terms of numbers and momentum, Eastwood Eden seemed to be at disadvantage.

After all, the villagers had been pushed to the brink by the heat. If they didn't seize the water source, it meant death.

This was a fight for survival. People, with boodshot eyes filled with hatred and jealousy, wished they could devour the residents of Eastwood Eden.

In the midst of the scuffle, a man suddenly pulled out a sharp knife from his back and stabbed at Mark's heart. If they can take this man down, Eastwood Eden will crumble. After driving these people out, the water source and sweet potatoes would be theirs. Stella hadn't planned on getting involved in the conflict since they hadn't moved in yet. But seeing the knife stabbing towards Mark, she changed her mind.

Despite Mark's gentle appearance, he was a psychologist after all. When he saw the man's sudden aggression, he sensed danger and quickly stepped back.

The knife missed, but the man didn't hesitate and stabbed again.

Using the motion of rummaging in her bag as a cover, Stella took out a crossbow from the Arcadia and shot at the man. She didn't aim for his heart, but his knife-wielding arm. The man screamed and dropped the knife.

Seeing this, the other villagers swung their hoes and clubs at the people of Eastwood Eden, determined to seize the water source. "Bang!"

A loud noise echoed, making everyone's ears ring.

Everyone froze, looking around, but no one had fallen. Only the brick held high by one of the villagers had shattered.

They had a gun!

The villagers were stunned, and none dared to charge forward.

"Stop." A stern voice rang out. Jasper aimed his gun at the leading village chief. "If you don't stop, I'm not gonna be so polite anymore."

Faced with the crossbow and the ominous barrel of a gun, even the angry village chief didn't dare to act rashly. After all, they couldn't outrun a bullet.

A young hothead from the village egged on, "Chief, don't be afraid. We outnumber them. They only have a few bullets. We could drown them with our fists."

But the village chief, staring down the barrel of a gun, wasn't so sure. When he heard what the punk was saying, he instantly flared up, "Come on then, you give it a shot!"

This good-for-nothing was all talk, no action. He was always the loudest, but the first to hide when things got physical.

Stella raised her crossbow and aimed directly at the punk. The arrow grazed his face, causing him to howl in pain.

Stella warned him, "I wouldn't even waste a bullet on you."

The punk clutched his wound, his legs shaking terribly, too scared to utter a single word.

Stella could tell that the village chief didn't want to die either. "We're running low on bullets, but we've got enough to take out a few troublemakers. Whoever wants to die, step right up. We'll oblige."